Best two weeks in my 20's!

☺

at Yonsei University, Seoul

South Korea

October 31 ~ November 13, 2018

When I arrived in South Korea it was early in the morning, and so fucking cold. The first three days I stayed there the temperature was around 6~9C. If I remember correctly, the warmest temperature when I was there was 13C, lowest was 5C. Coming from a tropical country, I know I will not be used to the cold weather but I didn’t expect it to be that cold. I prepared warm clothes because my body couldn’t adjust to extreme temperatures but I was still shivering from the cold the whole time I was in South Korea.

Kintex area, Gyeonggi-do

There will always be good and bad things on every trip I make. I stayed in South Korea for two weeks. I experienced difficulties in communicating with locals (although I fully understand everything they said, it still difficult for me to speak in Korean with them) , insecurity being minority, and of course homesickness. I really want to speak Indonesia. I miss speaking Indonesian when I was there (I used English and Korean). That's why I always call my friends every night so I could speak in Indonesian.

During the two weeks, I stayed in a good hotel and then move to my friend's apartment, thanks to Hyerim Ban and Minki Hong for letting me to stay in their apartment. They treat me very well. Love them so much! 

I went sightseeing, ate delicious foods, met my Korean friends, drank quite a lot, and learnt some of the quirks of Korean Society.

It was magical and every minute spent is overwhelming. With the presence of autumn colors, cold breeze air and scenic spots. I was very lucky to have a chance to go to a country when the autumn foliage was at its peak. I can’t deny that I fell in love with the scenery. Well, pictures could never justify how beautiful Korea is. It’s indescribable. I love it so much!!

Namsan Tower area, Seoul

When all my friends already going back to Indonesia, I continued my journey alone. I honestly got lost every time I took the subway; I don’t know which line, which station I have to transfer, which exit I should take, it is just too complicated for me. The subway maps might look daunting because like I mentioned before, it is so complicated, and it's surely doesn't help when there are Korean words on it, making it look even scarier. But, the good thing, public transportation in Korea, especially subway, is quite frankly, amazing. It’s quick, runs on time, always permanently clean, and plays a quirky jingles when the train arrives.

I went to many tourism spots in Korea such as Hangang Park, Gwanghwamun Plaza, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seokchon lake, etc. A lot of them are free, the one that cost money don’t cost a whole lot. I paid to get into the Gyeongbokgung in Seoul and it costs only 3000 won where you get to walk around something that takes a couple hours to explore and photograph. I do sightseeing in campus area too, such as at Yonsei, Konkuk, Kyunghee, Hongik, Ajou, and Ewha Woman University. Those universities are really great! and the atmosphere makes me want to study again.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza area

SM Town Artium, COEX Mall, Seoul

Gyeongbokgung (경복궁), Seoul

I also had a chance to watch K-League match at Suwon World Cup Stadium. It was Suwon Samsung VS Ulsan Hyundai. The match was really lit! There were 6 goals in total. It's like... amazing! It's not every day you watch football at the stadium and see 6 goals. What a good day, right?

Chicken and Cola (or Soju) is a must when you watch sport match!

Watching football at Suwon World Cup Stadium⚽

Actually I never had a plan to go to Jeonju. But, that is the best decision I've ever made. Thanks to my friend, Hyojae Lee, who inviting me to come to Jeonju, I had a short (but memorable) overnight trip to Jeonju. Located just three hours down south from Seoul, Jeonju is one of the nice places to visit.  I started at the Jeondong Catholic Cathedral (전동성당), it is the oldest Catholic Church in Korea. Although I'm not Catholic, I was impressed with warm atmosphere surrounding the church. I also checked out Gyeonggijeon Shrine (경기전) which was built in 1410, and has the portraits of King Tae-jo, the founder of Joseon Dynasty. The main attraction in Jeonju is definitely the Hanok Village (전주한옥마을). It super pretty with more than 800 houses inside it. I saw lots of people fully dressed up in traditional Korean outfit (한복). Jeonju is surpised me with its quaint charms. And the best part is, I ate Korean Beef in Jeonju, Yeaaaaaaay!!

Jeondong Catholic Cathedral 

Jeonju Hanok Village (전주한옥마을)

The things I noticed about Korea which wasn’t true anywhere else is that I can walk around at any time of day, with my bag unzipped (by accident), surrounded by people and never feel in any danger of having stuff stolen. Thieving simply isn’t a thing there. There was a moment when I accidentally left my stuffs at Hoegi (회기) station. I immediately ran as fast as I can and back to the station. The stuffs left behind are gifts from my Korean teacher. Fortunately, the staff at the station kept it. I feel happy when they save it and don't throw or take it away.

The locals can be both nice and rude, I don’t deny. Be warned that some of the locals, especially the older generation, can be really aggressive. Older people in Korea do not give a fuck. They will barge past you and generally invade your personal space without hesitation. I wish someone had warned me about this beforehand because I was quite shocked and upset when I experienced old man cursing me a lot when I talk with my friend inside the subway, people shoving me aside at a crowded place, elbowing me just because I sat too close to her/him on the subway and many other incidents. What I do know is that it’s a custom that the Korean older generation naturally expects the younger generation to respect them, but I don’t think this is how to ask for it.

In all honesty and fairness, there are many more friendly Koreans out there. Many times I met nice Koreans who exchange conversations with me, helped me to carry my heavy luggage in the station, etc. There was a nice old man who showed me the way to Ajou University when I got lost in Suji Gucheong (수지 구청) area. He even accompanied me to go to the nearest subway station. He's one of a kind! I'm thankfull for all these nice people.

That was the best two weeks in my life. Even though there are many places that I haven't visited, I'm happy to be able to spend most of my times with my Korean friends. It was such a great time. They are all kind to me. Maybe they have no idea how good it is for me to see them again.

with my friends from Konkuk, Kyunghee, Keimyung, and Ajou University

I would travel to South Korea again. I wanna watch baseball match so badly! All in all, I loved my time in there and can't wait to go back again someday because there's tons of stuff I didn't get to experienced! Check the video also here.

See you again, South Korea.

P.S :

I need to take a moment to thank all the people who helped me with lots of good memories in Korea.

1. Thank you Aulia for inviting me to join K-ICE event, 내년에도 한국 가즈아아아아!!! 거기서 맛있는거 많이 먹고 사진 많이 찍고 재밌게 놀자!!!

2. To 노정원, 이유빈, 김현아, 오담인, 김성회, 김혜민, 김유나, 이영수, 김소진, 김형근, 정인채, 여한솔, 문정호, 김도훈, 황선혜, 신동욱, and 이효재, Thank you for joining K-ICE and help us a lot during the event.

3. To all of my Kyunghee friends (착한 혜림, pretty 민지, hardworker 혜민, smart 정원, gangster 다혜, pretty smile 재은이, talkative 철한), Keimyung friends (문(재인)정호, 도훈, MC명철), my Korean teacher from Konkuk University 현아 쌤, and the last but not least Ajou friends (my first friend from Ajou 현우, 주말에 바쁜 남자 민기, kind hearted 준, gagman 효재, James 정(인정), duo ROTC 고창우 은석이, 잘생긴 때융, the one whom I always respect 도연언니, 귀여운 상지 and 한새, cool guys 준석 and 상욱, thank you for hangout with me, take me to beautiful places around Seoul and Suwon, be my guide, give me lots of present, treat me lots of delicious foods and snacks. Thank you for all of the memories you guys give to me in Korea. You guys are awesome! If u guys come to Indonesia, please call me. I'll be your guide and definitely will buy lots of delicious Indonesian food. Come come!!!!

4. Untuk 한솔 dan juga 소현, makasih karena kalian berbicara Bahasa bareng aku. Aku senang banget bisa ngomong Indonesia di Korea. 한국어동아리에서 너희들 만나는거 진짜 다행이닷~ 자카르타에서 또 만나자!!!

To these people and more, thank you for making my journey in Korea be the memorable one. I'm so grateful to meet and have you guys in my life. Thank you for everything you have done and I hope that all of you always healthy and happy.

Xoxo

Deb:)